• Digital Battlespace

  MUOS-5 responding to ground control

  28th June 2016

  Lockheed Martin's fifth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-5) satellite has been successfully launched into space and is responding to the US Naval Spacecraft Operations Control …

• Defence Helicopter

  Final Chinooks reach Australia

  28th June 2016

  A final three CH-47F Chinook helicopters touched down on Australian soil on 24 June. The aircraft came straight from Boeing’s production line, and were handed …

• Land Warfare

  India finally approves M777 buy

  28th June 2016

  India finally cleared the sale of 145 BAE Systems M777 lightweight howitzers on 25 June, capping an acquisition that started an agonising ten years ago. …

• Land Warfare

  Lithuania to receive first two howitzers

  28th June 2016

  The German armed forces have dispatched the first two 155mm PzH 2000 howitzers for the Lithuanian armed forces, it was announced on 23 June. As per …

• Defence Notes

  Europe braces for defence impact of Brexit

  27th June 2016

  Among the still-to-be-determined effects of the UK referendum vote in favour of leaving the EU are its impact on the European Common Security and Defence …

• Training

  Saab wins in Finland

  27th June 2016

  Saab Training & Simulation has signed a contract with the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) for the delivery of its BT46 laser-based tactical engagement system (TES) …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  MQ-4C Triton in new navy testing

  27th June 2016

  During recent US Navy testing, Northrop Grumman's MQ-4C Triton UAS demonstrated two new communications and flight capabilities, the navy announced on 23 June. While in flight, …

• Training

  Kratos receives avionics training contract

  27th June 2016

  Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has received a $9.4 million contract to provide support for helicopter avionics training systems to an undisclosed international customer, the …

• Training

  Serious Simulations selected for US Army VCTS

  27th June 2016

  Orlando-based Serious Simulations LLC has begun work for FAAC Incorporated, on the upgrade for the US Army’s Virtual Clearance Training System (VCTS). As the prime …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky accepts T70 prototype

  24th June 2016

  Sikorsky has accepted the first T70 prototype helicopter from PZL Mielec as the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP) gets underway The Turkish government plans to …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Crunch time for RQ-21A Blackjack

  24th June 2016

  The US Navy and US Marine Corps (USMC) is preparing for a busy few months as its newest small UAS, the RQ-21A Blackjack, is approved …

• Training

  Airbus D&S orders MRTT FFS

  24th June 2016

  Airbus Defence and Space has signed a contract with Indra for the development and supply of a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for the A330 Multi Role …

• Training

  Hercules Training Center breaks ground

  23rd June 2016

  Lockheed Martin has broken ground for the Hercules Training Center (HTC), which will open at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics site in Marietta, Georgia, in 2018, …

• Digital Battlespace

  Lockheed Martin wins SS-AISR task order

  23rd June 2016

  Lockheed Martin has received the $733 million Sensor Systems - Aerial Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (SS-AISR) task order from the US Army Contracting Command – …

• Training

  Saber Strike 16 conducted in Baltics

  23rd June 2016

  US Marine Corps (USMC) troops from Combat Logistics Regiment 2 out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Black Sea Rotational Force based in Romania participated …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Endurance UAV [US AFRICOM]

  Programme Background Ageing MQ-9A Reapers In November 2022, Shephard reported that GA-ASI would continue supporting contractor SMX with its MQ-9A after winning a $2.3 billion task ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background Requirement Following a 2019 skirmish with India, Pakistan placed newfound importance on EW and ISR, primarily due to the significant advantage gained during that ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Multidomian Micro Drones [USSOCOM]

  Background Special Notice On 14 November 2024, a Special Notice was released that informed the industry that the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was looking for ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian [Denmark]

  Programme Background Arctic Capability Package In February 2021, Denmark published the Arctic Capability package, a commitment to invest in new technologies, particularly uncrewed systems, to improve ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Range Drones [Norway]

  Background Andøya Ambition On 3 April 2023, the Norwegian MoD released a statement confirming its plans for Andøya, the northernmost island in its Vesterålen archipelago. In addition to ...

• Loitering munitions

  Long Range One-way Platforms [US]

  Solicitation In October 2024, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) released a solicitation for long-range, one-way platforms. The DIU noted recent conflicts highlighted the asymmetric impact of low-cost, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  V-Bat 128 [Canada]

  Programme Background Requirement Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) was seeking a platform for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) that would significantly expand its surveillance range ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Mini Intelligence Drone System (SMDR) [France]

  Background Requirement The French Army identified a need for a new tactical UAS to replace the Drac, which entered service in 2008. The Mini Reconnaissance ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  M Solar-X [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Seeker 400 - First Batch (UAE)

  Programme Background The UAE has a long history of transactions with Denel Dynamics. The country has been purchasing various Seeker systems from as far back ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  NH90 NFH-Italy

  Programme Background  The Italian Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 NFH helicopter in Full Operational Capability (or Step B) configuration in November 2013. ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  CH-4 (First Batch) [Pakistan]

  Programme Background First Batch According to the Pakistan Exim Trade Info website, five aircraft were delivered to the country on 15 January 2021. According to a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Medium-Range Loitering Munition with LEO Satellite Data Link [South Korea]

  Background New Project In April 2025, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) announced a new project titled “Development of Medium-Range ...

• Military UAS - small

  Small UAV (Bulgaria)

  Programme Background The Bulgarian Army wants to procure UAVs to enhance the organic tactical ISR capabilities of its ground forces. According to Bulgarian media, a ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Caihong

  The Caihong (Rainbow), also known as the Cai Hong or CH, is a solar-powered HALE platform designed for near-space flight. It is suitable for military ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Morning Star

  Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Morning Star is a quasi-satellite, near-space, solar-powered platform. It is designed for both military and civilian applications, including reconnaissance, navigation ...

• FL-3

  The FL-3 is a planned solar-powered, long-endurance, near-space platform with an 85,300ft ceiling. Speculated future uses include communication, ground observation, meteorological monitoring and operation as ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  A320neo M3A

  Currently under development by Airbus, the A320 M3A is the Maritime Patrol version of the civilian A320neo aircraft. The aircraft can be fitted with a wide ...

• Space: radar systems

  SARah

  SARah is the planned follow-on system for the SAR-Lupe radar satellite constellation operated by the German Armed Forces. In 2013, it was announced that OHB ...

• Major networking projects

  EAC

  The NATO Communications and Information Agency awarded ACTIA Sodielec a contract in June 2013 to provide NATO with an Extended Advanced SATCOM Network Monitoring and ...

• Space: radar systems

  ESA Sentinel-1

  Sentinel-1 is a planned constellation of four satellites with two already in orbit and two on order. They carry a payload of a C-band SAR ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Vocality Pro Series

  The Pro Series includes the V25, V50, V150 and V20. These are designed to be used in a central communications hub or as part of ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Maritime

  The FlyingFish Maritime SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System developed by Horizon Technologies. Designed to be mounted ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  S-70UAS U-Hawk

  Unveiled at AUSA 2025, the S-70UAS U-Hawk is an uncrewed version of Sikorsky’s crewed UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter.  It will act as a delivery aircraft for medium-sized uncrewed ground vehicles ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish

  FlyingFish is an Airborne Satellite Monitoring System designed to detect and intercept SATCOM from airborne ISR platforms. As a passive system, it cannot be detected ...

• Guided munitions

  GP155B

  The GP155B is a 155mm artillery round developed by Norinco. The GP155B integrates satellite-based guidance systems that are compatible with both the Chinese Beidou Navigation ...

• Data links

  Space CDL

  The Space Common Data Link (CDL) system provides a wideband data link capability adaptable to a variety of space-based applications. It consists of separate transmitter ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  ULTRA

  The Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) is a fixed-wing drone from DZYNE Technologies.  It is described as a long-endurance, GPS-harded intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform with full ...

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Naval

  The FlyingFish Naval SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System (ASMS) developed by Horizon Technologies. Whereas the original ...